Anarchy in the Streets: How Arthur Meighen Defeated the 1919 Winnipeg Strike
Commentary Winnipeg in the summer of 1919 was a scene of tragic anarchy. On May 15, labour activists declared a General Strike and took over the city, bringing it to a standstill. Workers had genuine grievances, but the strike leaders got carried away. In a nutshell, they were inspired by the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, [...]
TL;DR
- Winnipeg was plunged into "tragic anarchy" during the summer of 1919.
- A General Strike was declared on May 15, halting city operations.
- Strike leaders were inspired by the Bolshevik Revolution and socialist ideologies.
- Essential services like transit, postal, utilities, and deliveries required union permission.
- Public order deteriorated, with police operating under the Strike Committee's authority and large mobs appearing.